Adopting a dog means setting yourself up for lots of fun and chaos at the same time. Some dog breeds make the journey smoother for pet parents with their unconditional love, affectionate nature, and relaxed temperament.
Peaceful dog breeds are adaptable and calm, and do not get riled up easily. But remember, every dog has a unique personality just like humans. Proper training and early socialization help them live their best life and stay calm in difficult situations.
Choosing the right dog breed can be a bit challenging for first-time pet parents. The ideal dog for new dog owners should be gentle, docile, and able to get along well with kids and the elderly. It should provide warm companionship to its owners.
Here are the top 7 most peaceful breeds for new pet owners.
Most Peaceful Dog Breeds for New Pet Owners
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed Profile
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
The affectionate dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, are easy to manage for first-time pet parents. These gentle and loving canines are quite adaptable and thrive in a family environment. They form strong bonds with their owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have moderate energy levels—they enjoy playtime and lounging on a couch equally. They are patient and tolerant around children. Having big, dreamy eyes and a sociable nature, they will be as happy lying on your feet as they are while romping in the yard.
According to PDSA, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need 60 minutes of exercise every day. They require regular grooming to maintain their silky coats. Regular brushing is required to keep the coat in good condition. Otherwise, it is a low-maintenance dog breed.
2. Bichon Frise
Breed Profile
Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Bichon Frise makes an excellent companion for first-time dog owners due to its high energy, easy trainability, and friendly disposition. They are very social and love greeting new people and animals.
These white fluff balls are high-energy, playful companions, but can have a relaxed and calm temperament at the same time. They love nothing more than staying by your side. Your Bichon Frise will happily accompany you on walks to the park or the outdoor patio of a dog-friendly restaurant.
They are easygoing and extremely intelligent pups who require only 30 minutes of exercise every day to stay healthy and fit. These cute dogs do not shed much, which is another plus for new pet parents. However, they are prone to separation anxiety, so cannot be left alone for extended periods.
3. Pug
Breed Profile
Height: 10 to 13 inches
Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Pugs are happy dogs—they do have high energy moments, but are usually content to be couch potatoes. It is a good breed for first-time dog owners due to its friendly demeanor and eagerness to please. Additionally, they are intelligent and can be trained easily.
Pugs are generally bright and lovable dogs, rarely aggressive. Training these funny clowns involves patience and positive reinforcement. It is a calm dog breed, but still needs daily exercise to stay healthy and active.
Low-key activities like casual walks and a quick game of fetch are well-suited for pugs. However, according to PetMD, they are not good candidates for extensive physical activity. In the absence of adequate physical and mental stimulation, pugs can become destructive.
4. Shih Tzu
Breed Profile
Height: 9 to 10.5
Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Shih Tzu, also known as the little lion dog, is an affectionate, outgoing, and adaptable dog hailing from China. These lively canines thrive on human attention and are well-behaved around kids and other pets. Their gentle nature makes them ideal for novice pet owners.
However, these cute dogs are easy to train but also have a stubborn side. So, a little patience might be needed while training them. Their loyalty and calm nature make them excellent therapy dogs. Shih Tzus love to be a part of family activities.
Shih Tzus are moderately energetic dogs who enjoy short walks and playtime. Around 30 minutes of exercise a day will suffice.
Their long and beautiful coat requires extensive grooming, including daily brushing, bathing three to four times a week, and cleaning ears regularly, which can be a task for some new owners.
5. Maltese
Breed Profile
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: Under 7 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
These friendly and hypoallergenic dogs are a good choice for first-time dog owners. Their playful nature and gentle temperament make them excellent family pets. Maltese are small dogs well-suited for individuals living in apartments or rentals.
Maltese have moderate energy levels, but need proper exercise to burn off excess energy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They dogs crave human attention and are often referred to as “Velcro dogs.”
Due to their sensitive nature and calm demeanor, they are equally good for households with young kids and the elderly. At the same time, Maltese excel at dog sports like agility and obedience. Their long and silky distinguishing coat requires daily brushing.
6. Great Dane
Breed Profile
Height: 28 to 32 inches
Weight: 110 to 175 pounds
Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Great Danes are highly intelligent dogs with an eagerness to please their owners. Great Danes are quite massive, but it seems like they are unaware of their size. These docile pups are the true gentle giants, ideal for first-time owners looking for a large dog breed.
It is a good low maintenance breed that sleeps a lot, so you do not need to spend a lot of time with them. Great Danes have minimal grooming needs. The American Kennel Club describes them as friendly, patient, and dependable dogs.
Great Danes are calm companions who form strong bonds with their humans. They are patient and well-behaved around kids. However, they can knock down little kids in an attempt to cuddle with them. So you need to supervise them around little children.
7. Whippet
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 25 to 40 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Originally bred as hunting dogs, Whippets are the lean and athletic medium-sized sighthounds. Their calm and affectionate nature makes them a good choice for first-time owners. Apart from being even-tempered, they are the low-maintenance pups.
Despite their innate athleticism, Whippets are surprisingly laid back indoors. They enjoy relaxed moments with their human family. Whippets are sensitive canines having an eagerness to please. These traits contribute to their easy trainability, a trait that most first-time owners want in their dog.
Whippets are fast dogs, and their energy does not last for too long. They need some space to channel this energy into exercise. Whippets love calm and quiet households, so they are well-suited for low-key families without little kids.
Conclusion
Peaceful dog breeds usually make ideal companions for first-time owners. If you are a new pet parent, looking for an extremely intelligent and docile dog, one of the breeds mentioned in this article may be the right choice for you. Remember, even the most peaceful dogs love attention and affection from their humans!
